Using the same grain bill, we inoculated five-gallon batches with different yeast strains (ale and lager), and fermented at different temperatures. The goal is to determine if we can taste differences.
A highly-attenuated pale lager without strong flavors, typically well-balanced and highly carbonated. Served cold, it is refreshing and thirst-quenching.
Pale straw to gold color. White, frothy head may not be long lasting. Very clear.
Low to medium-low malt aroma, which can be grainy-malty or slightly corny-sweet. Hop aroma may range from very low to a medium, spicy or floral hop presence. While a clean fermentation profile is generally most desirable, low levels of yeast character (such as a light apple fruitiness) are not a fault. A light amount of DMS or corn aroma is not a fault
Low to moderate levels of grainy-malt flavor, with a crisp, dry, well-attenuated finish. The grain character can be somewhat neutral, or show a light bready-crackery quality or up to moderate corny or malty sweetness. Hop flavor ranges from none to medium levels, and often showing a floral, spicy, or herbal character if detected. Hop bitterness at medium-low to medium level. Balance may vary from slightly malty to slightly bitter, but is relatively close to even. Neutral aftertaste with light malt and sometimes hop flavors. A light amount of DMS is not a fault.
Light to medium body. Moderately high to highly carbonated. Can have a slight carbonic bite on the tongue.
In the United States, developed as a premium version of the standard American lager, with a similar history. Outside the United States, developed either as an imitation of American style lagers, or as a more accessible (and often drier and less bitter) version of a Pilsner-type beer. Often heavily marketed and exported by large industrial or multi-national breweries.
Generally more bitter and filling than American lager. Less hoppy and bitter than a German Pils. Less body, malt flavor, and hop character than a Czech Premium Pale Lager. More robust versions can approach a Munich Helles in flavor, although with more of an adjunct quality.
IBU 18 - 25
SRM 2 - 6
OG 1.042 - 1.050
FG 1.008 - 1.012
ABV 4.6% - 6%
Asahi Super Dry, Birra Moretti, Corona Extra, Devils Backbone Gold Leaf Lager, Full Sail Session Premium Lager, Heineken, Red Stripe, Singha.
balanced, bottom-fermented, lagered, pale-color, pale-lager-family, standard-strength, traditional-style
Overall scores for beers tended to cluster at higher score numbers for beers that were fermented within their prescribed temperature guidelines.
Overall scores clustered slightly higher for beers that fit the lager profile (yeast & fermentation temperatures), compared to ale-yeast beers fermented at ale temperatures.
Meh, not so much.
Yes. The mystery temperature beer scored the highest. Of known fermentation temperature beers, there was a preference for beers fermented within prescribed temperatures.
Yes!
Not really.
Comments
International lagers tend to have fewer adjuncts than standard American lagers. They may be all-malt, although strong flavors are still a fault. A broad category of international mass-market lagers ranging from up-scale American lagers to the typical “import” or “green bottle” international beers found in America and many export markets. Often confusingly labeled as a “Pilsner.” Any skunkiness in commercial beers from being lightstruck in a green bottle is a mishandling fault, not a characteristic of the style.